“Map for beggars”, known in Korean as 거지 지도, has gone viral on social media as people across South Korea search for inexpensive places to eat amid rising prices. The crowdsourced guide lists low-cost restaurants and is being shared widely as a quick, practical way to find affordable meals.

The map began circulating as ordinary users and online communities pooled recommendations for cheap, filling options that stretch household food budgets. Shared posts and location tags point to everything from small noodle shops and cafeterias to neighborhood diners that offer strong value for money, making the resource useful both for lower-income families and for cost-conscious diners generally.

According to reporting by The Korea Times, the trend has not only spread on social media but also climbed portal rankings, reflecting broad interest across different age and income groups. The viral popularity on those portals helped the map reach audiences beyond the initial online communities, turning a handful of user-generated lists into a widely consulted guide for cheap eats.

Beyond offering meal choices, the phenomenon illustrates how digital sharing has become a routine cost-saving tool. Users say they turn to the map as a part of everyday budgeting strategies, using peers’ firsthand tips to identify places where price increases have been less noticeable or where portion sizes still deliver perceived value.

While the map is presented as a practical response to recent inflation, available reports indicate it is also a social signal: people are openly exchanging information about living-cost pressures and coping tactics. The trend, documented by The Korea Times on April 2, 2026, highlights how grassroots information-sharing can shape everyday decisions when households look for ways to reduce expenses.